In the summer of 1953, Marilyn Monroe posed for a Fourth of July photo shoot that captured everything the holiday stands for — spectacle, boldness, and a little bit of danger. The session was shot by Bert Reisfeld, an Austrian-born writer, journalist, and former film composer who had built a career working for German-language publications in Hollywood. By 1953, Reisfeld was an active member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, giving him regular access to the biggest stars in the business.
Monroe appeared in a bikini for the shoot, posing alongside oversized fireworks and a sign that read “Beware of Danger.” The setup was deliberately playful. The props leaned into the theme of the holiday while putting Monroe front and center as its unofficial spokesperson. The “Beware of Danger” sign worked as a joke — Monroe herself was the spectacle, not the fireworks.
By 1953, Monroe was no longer an up-and-coming actress. That same year, she starred in both “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “How to Marry a Millionaire,” cementing her place as one of Hollywood’s biggest draws. A holiday photo shoot with a press journalist was a calculated but natural move — it kept her image in circulation and connected her to everyday American moments.
Reisfeld’s background made him a unique presence behind the camera. He started his career as a film composer in Europe before shifting into journalism after relocating to the United States. Writing for German-language outlets, he served as a cultural bridge between Hollywood and European audiences hungry for news about American film stars.
The photos from this session are casual compared to Monroe’s more formal studio portraits. She looks relaxed, playing along with the holiday props rather than striking a rigid glamour pose. The fireworks and the warning sign give the images a lighthearted energy that sets them apart from her typical promotional material.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, of which Reisfeld was a member, operated as a key link between American entertainment and the global press. Members had direct access to studios and stars, producing the kind of candid or themed content that publications abroad couldn’t get on their own. A shoot like this one — seasonal, playful, and featuring one of the world’s most recognized faces — was exactly the type of material those outlets wanted.
Monroe’s bikini choice for the shoot was also notable for 1953. Swimwear of that style was still relatively new as mainstream fashion in the United States. Wearing one in a press shoot tied to a national holiday made a clear statement about Monroe’s willingness to lean fully into her public persona.
The combination of Monroe, a holiday theme, large fireworks, and a tongue-in-cheek warning sign produced photographs that are both a product of their time and immediately recognizable as Monroe at her most self-aware. Reisfeld captured her not as a film character, but as herself — performing the role of America’s most glamorous Fourth of July guest.
